Medicare Options for Dialysis Patients
You may be familiar with Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Part B), but did you know Medicare-eligible and Medicare-enrolled end stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients can choose Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) plans?*
Read on to learn more about your Medicare options. And remember, it’s your decision to enroll in different coverage and you don’t have to change your insurance.
Don’t know what type of coverage you have OR want to learn about other common types of health insurance? Click here.
*21st Century Cures Act, passed by Congress in 2016
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Understanding Your Medicare Options
There are two main ways people with ESKD can get Medicare coverage: Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage.
What is Medicare Advantage?
are an “all-in-one” alternative to Original Medicare. The federal government contracts with insurance companies to offer these plans that bundle Medicare Part A, Part B and usually Part D (prescription drug coverage). Medicare Advantage plans cover the same services as Original Medicare and often offer extra benefits like vision, dental and hearing coverage. Other services could include transportation (like to your dialysis center), meal delivery service, and over-the-counter drugs. These plans include an annual out-of-pocket maximum (so you know the maximum amount you could pay for eligible services in a plan year). They also may require you to see network providers or pay more to go out of network. If you have other/secondary health insurance, you may be able to keep that coverage and use it with a Medicare Advantage plan. For example, you can usually keep Medicaid or commercial insurance, like an employer group health plan. However, Medigap policies can't work with Medicare Advantage plans. If you have a Medigap policy and join a Medicare Advantage plan, you may want to drop your Medigap policy, as your Medigap policy can't be used to pay your Medicare Advantage premium, deductible, or copayments.
To be eligible for Medicare Advantage, you must first enroll (or already be enrolled) in both Medicare Part A and Part B.
are an “all-in-one” alternative to Original Medicare. The federal government contracts with insurance companies to offer these plans that bundle Medicare Part A, Part B and usually Part D (prescription drug coverage). Medicare Advantage plans cover the same services as Original Medicare and often offer extra benefits like vision, dental and hearing coverage. Other services could include transportation (like to your dialysis center), meal delivery service, and over-the-counter drugs. These plans include an annual out-of-pocket maximum (so you know the maximum amount you could pay for eligible services in a plan year). They also may require you to see network providers or pay more to go out of network. If you have other/secondary health insurance, you may be able to keep that coverage and use it with a Medicare Advantage plan. For example, you can usually keep Medicaid or commercial insurance, like an employer group health plan. However, Medigap policies can't work with Medicare Advantage plans. If you have a Medigap policy and join a Medicare Advantage plan, you may want to drop your Medigap policy, as your Medigap policy can't be used to pay your Medicare Advantage premium, deductible, or copayments.
To be eligible for Medicare Advantage, you must first enroll (or already be enrolled) in both Medicare Part A and Part B.
What is Original Medicare?
is a national health insurance program administered by the U.S. federal government for people age 65 or older or under 65 with certain disabilities. It’s also for people diagnosed with ESKD. Medicare covers hospital services (Part A) and outpatient services (Part B). People covered by Original Medicare can see any provider who accepts Original Medicare and is accepting new patients. No referral is needed.
Medicare Part A
Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and some home health care. Most Original Medicare recipients don’t pay a monthly premium for Part A. However, if you don't qualify for premium-free Part A, you can buy Part A for up to $499 each month in 20221.
Medicare Part B
Medicare Part B covers outpatient care, medical supplies, most doctors' services and some preventive services. It also covers transplant and immunosuppressive drugs for 36 months after transplant. The standard 2022 Part B premium is $170.102 but could be higher depending on your income. In addition to monthly premium/s, Original Medicare requires you meet a deductible before paying for part of covered services and supplies. You will also be responsible for copayments and coinsurance (the part you pay after meeting the deductible—usually 20%), and there is no cap or out-of-pocket maximum on the amount you could pay in the plan year.
1 You can find additional detail at
2 You can find additional detail at
Additional Coverage
Some people covered by Original Medicare purchase additional coverage for prescription drugs and out-of-pocket costs. adds prescription drug coverage and fills "gaps" to help cover out-of-pocket costs (not covered by Medicare Part B). Medicare Part D and Medigap plans typically have a monthly premium in addition to the Part B premium. is an income-based joint federal and state program that covers services from in-state providers who accept Medicaid, as well some (or all) dental, transportation and prescription costs. To be eligible for Medicaid, you must meet your state’s requirements. Not all dialysis patients with Medicare qualify for Medicaid.
is a national health insurance program administered by the U.S. federal government for people age 65 or older or under 65 with certain disabilities. It’s also for people diagnosed with ESKD. Medicare covers hospital services (Part A) and outpatient services (Part B). People covered by Original Medicare can see any provider who accepts Original Medicare and is accepting new patients. No referral is needed.
Medicare Part A
Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and some home health care. Most Original Medicare recipients don’t pay a monthly premium for Part A. However, if you don't qualify for premium-free Part A, you can buy Part A for up to $499 each month in 20221.
Medicare Part B
Medicare Part B covers outpatient care, medical supplies, most doctors' services and some preventive services. It also covers transplant and immunosuppressive drugs for 36 months after transplant. The standard 2022 Part B premium is $170.102 but could be higher depending on your income. In addition to monthly premium/s, Original Medicare requires you meet a deductible before paying for part of covered services and supplies. You will also be responsible for copayments and coinsurance (the part you pay after meeting the deductible—usually 20%), and there is no cap or out-of-pocket maximum on the amount you could pay in the plan year.
1 You can find additional detail at
2 You can find additional detail at
Additional Coverage
Some people covered by Original Medicare purchase additional coverage for prescription drugs and out-of-pocket costs. adds prescription drug coverage and fills "gaps" to help cover out-of-pocket costs (not covered by Medicare Part B). Medicare Part D and Medigap plans typically have a monthly premium in addition to the Part B premium. is an income-based joint federal and state program that covers services from in-state providers who accept Medicaid, as well some (or all) dental, transportation and prescription costs. To be eligible for Medicaid, you must meet your state’s requirements. Not all dialysis patients with Medicare qualify for Medicaid.
What is Medicare Advantage?
are an “all-in-one” alternative to Original Medicare. The federal government contracts with insurance companies to offer these plans that bundle Medicare Part A, Part B and usually Part D (prescription drug coverage). Medicare Advantage plans cover the same services as Original Medicare and often offer extra benefits like vision, dental and hearing coverage. Other services could include transportation (like to your dialysis center), meal delivery service, and over-the-counter drugs. These plans include an annual out-of-pocket maximum (so you know the maximum amount you could pay for eligible services in a plan year). They also may require you to see network providers or pay more to go out of network. If you have other/secondary health insurance, you may be able to keep that coverage and use it with a Medicare Advantage plan. For example, you can usually keep Medicaid or commercial insurance, like an employer group health plan. However, Medigap policies can't work with Medicare Advantage plans. If you have a Medigap policy and join a Medicare Advantage plan, you may want to drop your Medigap policy, as your Medigap policy can't be used to pay your Medicare Advantage premium, deductible, or copayments.
To be eligible for Medicare Advantage, you must first enroll (or already be enrolled) in both Medicare Part A and Part B.
What is Original Medicare?
is a national health insurance program administered by the U.S. federal government for people age 65 or older or under 65 with certain disabilities. It’s also for people diagnosed with ESKD. Medicare covers hospital services (Part A) and outpatient services (Part B). People covered by Original Medicare can see any provider who accepts Original Medicare and is accepting new patients. No referral is needed.
Medicare Part A
Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and some home health care. Most Original Medicare recipients don’t pay a monthly premium for Part A. However, if you don't qualify for premium-free Part A, you can buy Part A for up to $499 each month in 20221.
Medicare Part B
Medicare Part B covers outpatient care, medical supplies, most doctors' services and some preventive services. It also covers transplant and immunosuppressive drugs for 36 months after transplant. The standard 2022 Part B premium is $170.102 but could be higher depending on your income. In addition to monthly premium/s, Original Medicare requires you meet a deductible before paying for part of covered services and supplies. You will also be responsible for copayments and coinsurance (the part you pay after meeting the deductible—usually 20%), and there is no cap or out-of-pocket maximum on the amount you could pay in the plan year.
1 You can find additional detail at
2 You can find additional detail at
Additional Coverage
Some people covered by Original Medicare purchase additional coverage for prescription drugs and out-of-pocket costs. adds prescription drug coverage and fills "gaps" to help cover out-of-pocket costs (not covered by Medicare Part B). Medicare Part D and Medigap plans typically have a monthly premium in addition to the Part B premium. is an income-based joint federal and state program that covers services from in-state providers who accept Medicaid, as well some (or all) dental, transportation and prescription costs. To be eligible for Medicaid, you must meet your state’s requirements. Not all dialysis patients with Medicare qualify for Medicaid.
Comparing Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage
Tools & Resources
Several resources are available to help you understand your insurance options and enroll in a plan. Medicare and eHealth are two key resources for help understanding your plan options and getting enrolled.Frequently Asked Questions
Download and print this frequently-asked-questions sheet. You may want to keep it handy when you talk with an educator.
Additional Tools & Resources
Several resources are available to help you understand your insurance options and enroll in a plan. You can also visit the Tools & Resources page for more.
Disclaimers: This resource is intended to provide ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ patients with information about some of the available third party resources for comparing and enrolling in Medicare Advantage plans. Links to third party websites are provided for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional advice. Third party websites are governed by the third party’s privacy policy and terms of use, not ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ’s. ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ does not endorse or recommend any specific insurance agent, broker, agency, or plan and is not affiliated with or compensated by insurance agents, brokers, or agencies. If you choose to work with a health insurance agent, broker, or agency, please keep in mind they are not affiliated with Medicare and may earn compensation if you enroll in a plan.
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NOTICE
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